Short History of the period
1981 to 2006 (5741 to 5766)
Dr Anthony Joseph
Richard Saunders
Stanley A Shepherd
Ronnie Singer
David Winroope
Sir Bernard Zissman
The first one hundred and twenty five years of
Birmingham Hebrew Congregation’s history
were momentous and challenging and the most recent
25 years have been just as challenging. The period
commenced with a 25th Anniversary Appeal to raise
funds towards the costs of renovating the Communal
Hall, to which the family of the late Joseph Cohen
made a generous donation. Although the Appeal
was delayed, because at that time the J.I.A. had
organised a special appeal for Israel, the work
went ahead and, with the installation of new kitchens,
the work was completed in time for the re-opening
as the “Joseph Cohen Hall” towards
the end of 1983.
It was a matter of great pride and pleasure to
the Congregation, and to the wider Community,
when Miriam Harris was elected Mayor of Solihull
in April 1983. Having expressed the wish that
her Civic Service should be held in Singers Hill,
it took place on the 12th January 1983 when the
Lord Mayor of Birmingham was also present. To
commemorate her year in office, Miriam and her
husband, George, presented the Shul with a Sefer
Torah cover.
Lester Marks stood down as Chairman of the Council
in December 1982 and his place was taken by Ivor
Lewis three months later. Mark Bloom, in turn,
succeeded him in September 1985 and it was during
this period that there were lengthy and detailed
discussions with Birmingham City Council about
safety and the security of the buildings from
the threat of terrorist attack.
Much time and effort were spent over several months
and years in consideration and rectification of
the wet and dry rot, which affected the ladies’
gallery, the roof and the front of the Shul as
well as part of the ceiling. The cost of repairs
and treatment ran into many thousands of pounds
but was off set to some extent by a grant under
the Historic Buildings Act 1962.
There have been many distinguished Chairmen of
the Council, but it was with great sadness that
the death of Lionel Albury was announced in 1983.
Having been elected to the Council in 1947, he
was its Chairman from 1957 to 1965 and followed
in the honourable traditions set by his father
and uncle in serving the Congregation and the
Community in general, with great dedication and
distinction.
The Council Meeting in March 1984 was the last
one attended by Stanley F. Cohen – although
he would continue as an elected Life Member. His
devoted service to the Congregation was marked
by the presentation to him of a Golden Book Certificate
which, at his request, was displayed in the cabinet
at the entrance to the Joseph Cohen Hall.
1984 marked the passing of Rev. Wolf Lewi, who
had been an outstanding Chazan of the Congregation
from the time of his appointment in 1933 until
his retirement in 1965.
After 14 years’ service to the Congregation,
Rev. Stanley Brickman received a call to the post
of Chazan in Cape Town and conducted his last
Shabbat service at Singers Hill on the 21st May
1985. He was succeeded by Rev. David Harel, but
he left in February1986 and the ensuing period
marked the only time in the history of the Congregation
when there were no full-time Ministers –
there having been three only a few years previously.
Henry Black, who had been Choirmaster for some
years, was appointed part-time Chazan, Mark Woolf
took over as Choirmaster and, about this time,
Ronnie Singer retired from the Choir after 55
years’ service.
Rev. Sidney Gold, who had been inducted as Chief
Minister in September 1960, announced his intention
to retire at the end of 1984 – although
he would continue to minister, but only on a part-time
basis, until his successor was appointed. With
the help of Rabbi Norman Solomon and visiting
Rabbonim, this arrangement lasted until Rev. Leonard
Tann took up the pulpit in November 1986. Rev.
Gold’s retirement was honoured by a dinner
attended by a large number of people and his service
to the Congregation was marked by his appointment
as Minister Emeritus.
At about the same time, Harold Morris retired
as Shammas on his 65th birthday and, although
Alan Wenble was appointed in July 1985 and has
since retired, Harold continues to assist the
Congregation in many and varied ways as, indeed,
does Alan.
In September 1985, Roland Diamond announced that
ill-health prevented him from standing again as
President after 9 years and he was succeeded by
Benny Goodman. Simchat Torah 1985 saw the introduction
of the new Succah presented to Singers Hill by
the Kahtan family in memory of Dr Moshe Kahtan.
The early part of this period also saw the levelling
and development of the extension to the cemetery
at Witton, where Teddy Woolf kindly donated the
entrance gates in memory of his late wife, Pearl.
In October 1986, Berta Strauss and her family
made a generous gift to the Shul of a Sefer Torah
with its silver and mantles in memory of her husband
the late Dr. Kossy Strauss.
Chanuka 1986 was marked by 300 congregants enjoying
the service and a Kiddush especially for the children
and the security volunteers. This was followed
by a celebration Kiddush to mark the 80th birthday
of Isaac (Sonny) Cohen, who had given 36 years’
service to the Council, twelve of which had been
spent as Vice- President and Treasurer.
Rev. Tann, whose induction by the Chief Rabbi
planned for January 18th 1987 had sadly been postponed
due to bad weather, was engaged in arranging an
active programme for members. The Hebrew and Religious
classes were moved back to Singers Hill from the
King David School because of the smaller number
of children.
There was a highly successful and well-attended
Civic Service and a visit by Dr Lionel Kopelowitz,
making his first visit to Birmingham since becoming
the President of the Board of Deputies.
The Treasurer reported on a financial crisis facing
the Congregation and the Council agreed to a 50%
increase in membership dues. The Ladies’
Guild continued to be active, arranging events
under the stewardship of Irene Tann, Shirley Bindman
(Rowe) and Pep Glass; during this period of a
quarter of a century the Guild has been loyally
supported by many of our ladies including Adele
Aremband, Bella Cash, Sylvia Cornberg, Muriel
Diamond, Lia Lesser, Herta Linden, Sheila Nathan,
Lucie Pennell, Tilly Silverman, and Betty Wasley.
During this same period, Elizabeth Lesser supported
by Ruth Jacobs and Gerald Abrahams have guided
countless numbers of school groups around the
Synagogue.
Following a meeting with the Chief Rabbi, the
President commented on the continuing decline
of the membership of Singers Hill and that this
seemed to be reflected in other provincial congregations
and would only lead, at some time, to mergers
and amalgamations.
Mark Woolf had assumed the leadership of the Choir
and, for the first time, the Choir conducted the
entire Shabbat service. The Council acknowledged
the continuing support received from the Congregation’s
Honorary Solicitors, Maurice Putsman and Geoffrey
Morris of Maurice Putsman and Co.
The 70th Anniversary of WIZO was celebrated with
a special service when husbands were given aliyot,
followed by a Kiddush organised by the ladies
of WIZO.
Negotiations continued with the City Council and
other parties to secure the urgent re-opening
of the Mikvah.
This had been a difficult period for the King
David School, during which time Hyman Gollom ceased
to be Head Teacher. On a different note, Councillor
Harold Blumenthal became the third member of the
Congregation to be elected Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
Together with his wife, Vivienne, as Lady Mayoress,
he served the City with distinction and was the
first non-member of the Royal Family to be featured
with H M The Queen on a postage stamp - for Granada.
The Chief Rabbi, Lord Jakobovits, visited the
Birmingham Jewish Community in November 1988.
His busy itinerary included a visit to Singers
Hill, where he had supper in the Council Chamber
with the Executive, Philip Bloom and leaders of
the other Shuls.
The Shul was partly restored to its original format
when a central bimah was installed and dedicated
at Chanuka, 1988. It was generously donated by
David and Belinda Winroope who formerly lived
in Hull and who purchased it from the recently
closed Osborne Street Synagogue in Hull. The Congregation
enjoyed an unusual celebration and Kiddush to
mark the 125th anniversary of the founding of
the Shul choir.
There has been no more loyal servant of the Congregation
than Ronnie Singer and, after years of dedicated
service in the role of Secretary to the Congregation,
he announced his retirement in June 1988. He was
succeeded by Sydney Fisher for a short period
until 1990, and then Ronnie returned to occupy
the office of Secretary for a further six years,
and in April 1996, Bernard Gingold was appointed
as Administrator and later succeeded as Chairman
of the Chevra Kadisha. This period also saw the
impending retirement of Alan Wenble as Shammas
and of Henry Black as Chazan, who was moving to
London.
In March 1989, the Board of Deputies of British
Jews held its plenary session outside London in
the Council Chamber of the Birmingham City Council,
by kind permission of the Lord Mayor, an event
attended by many of the Community.
In the summer of 1989, Singers Hill successfully
defended its title in the annual cricket match
with Central Synagogue.
In May 1990, Councillor Bernard Zissman was elected
Lord Mayor of the City, only the second member
of the Synagogue Council to occupy the position,
the first being Sir David Davis in 1921. This
was marked in the Shul by the Service of Induction
of the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs.
Cynthia Zissman. The service, held for the first
time in the history of Singers Hill, conducted
by Rev. Tann and Chazan Black and supported by
Rabbi M Singer from the Central Synagogue, was
attended by a congregation exceeding five hundred.
Because of the difficulties of maintaining the
grounds of the old cemetery in Betholom Row and
after talks with the London Beth Din, the site
was leased to a development company for 999 years,
on the understanding that they would keep that
specific area in good order.
During this period, successful negotiations were
completed with the Local Authority for the purchase
of the land at the rear of the King David School,
previously used as a playing field. The Council
approved the proposed acquisition of the land
in the sum of £7,500.
In November 2001, a distinguished former Head
Master of the King David School, Mr Ron Levy sadly
died.
A special meeting of the Council was held on
the 12th February 1992 to consider the draft constitution
of the proposed Birmingham Jewish Education Board
(BJEB). Each of the three synagogues, Singers
Hill, the Central Synagogue and the New Synagogue
appointed delegates to a steering committee for
the establishment of the BJEB, which elected Geoffrey
Morris as the first Chairman.
In addition to fulfilling his role as Director
of Jewish education at the King David School,
Rabbi David Singer was appointed Chazan at Singers
Hill for a period extending until the end of July
1993.
On the 14th June 1992, the Council considered
a report from a committee, led by Bernard Zissman,
entitled “A Future for Singers Hill”.
The President set up a small working party to
investigate the various factors concerning the
Synagogue buildings, including their listed status.
The Laws of the Congregation were amended so
that the numbers of elected members to Council
would henceforth be reduced from 21 to 18.
During 1992, a new carpet was laid on the back
stairs of the Synagogue leading from the Ladies’
Gallery. A new legacies board, donated by Warren
Lessar, was fixed above the vestry door. The foundation
stone of the new Stirchley Residential Care Home
(now Andrew Cohen House) was laid on Sunday 27th
June 1992 and subsequently opened by HRH Diana
Princess of Wales.
Building on the co-operation between the three
orthodox synagogues with the establishment of
the BJEB, an invitation was received from the
Central Synagogue to re-open discussions in an
attempt to find common ground between the two
major synagogues. That resulted in a meeting on
the 22nd February 1993 suggesting co-operation
in various areas, including the following: administration
/ ministerial co-operation/ joint minyanim / social
events / joint Shabbaton / Selichot services /
monthly children’s services and parties
/ chedorim under the BJEB / and adult education
programmes.
Throughout this period, Benny Goodman did his
utmost to encourage the involvement of youngsters
in the Shabbat morning services in the main Shul.
Sophie Lessar, Miriam Woolf and Lydia Fineman
had introduced the week’s Sidra and Haphtorah
from the Ladies’ Gallery and, in addition
to pre- Barmitzvah age boys being given the mitzvah
of Gelila, three of them had lehined lines from
the Sefer Torah after the completion of the main
lehining.
In June 1993, the Birmingham Jewish Community
was honoured by a visit from the Chief Rabbi.
With effect from the 5th September 1993, the
chedorim of the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation
and the Central Synagogue were merged into one
– the new name being “BJEB Talmud
Torah” and its Head Teacher, Rabbi David
Singer.
Mark Bloom announced his intention to step down
from the office of Chairman of the Council, having
served with great distinction over the previous
8 years. Geoffrey Morris assumed that office with
effect from November 1993.
On the 21st November 1993, the retirement of
Rabbi M. Singer as Rabbi of Central Synagogue
was marked by a testimonial tea at which the respective
Presidents of Central and Singers Hill voiced
hopes for greater co- operation between the orthodox
Shuls in Birmingham, and Benny Goodman suggested
that without delay and without pre-conditions,
the three Orthodox Shuls should commence negotiations
regarding the feasibility of merger.
1994 was a year of highs and lows. It was a matter
of great pride to the Community that Rev. Leonard
Tann attained his semicha. Sadly, vandals damaged
tombstones and some of the windows in the prayer
house at Witton Cemetery. Potential problems with
the future upkeep and maintenance of Singers Hill
were facing the members, coupled with the fact
that the listed status of the buildings would
make it much more difficult to sell, should the
members decide on that course of action. There
had been three meetings between Singers Hill and
Central following the recommencement of the inter-
Shul discussions. These discussions resulted in
the proposal for a professional feasibility study
to examine the alternative possibilities of a
merged congregation using the existing Central
Synagogue, or the erection of a new synagogue
on the Central Synagogue site. Another major step
forward was that during Pesach, Rabbi Tann lehined
and preached at Central Synagogue and Rabbi Norman
Solomon preached at Singers Hill.
At the Annual General Meeting held on the 17th
September 1995, Benny Goodman announced that,
having served the Congregation as President for
the past 10 years, he intended to step down and
Gerald Abrahams, Vice-President and Treasurer
would also not be seeking re- appointment. The
major issues facing the membership remained the
future of the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation and
of Singers Hill Synagogue.
Meetings between delegates from Singers Hill,
the Central Synagogue and the New Synagogue in
Park Road, Moseley made some progress regarding
constitutional rules and administration of a merged
congregation. However, the suggestion of the demolition
of the existing building on the Central Synagogue
site and the subsequent erection of a new synagogue
on that site had not proved acceptable to the
Council of the Central Synagogue.
A further important factor was that in the summer
of 1995, the Singers Hill buildings had been upgraded
to Grade II* listing. An approach was made by
New Synagogue Park Road, requesting a merger with
the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation. One of the
stipulations was that there should be a replacement
satellite Shul in Moseley, probably at the King
David School site, to be funded entirely out of
the proceeds of the sale of the Park Road Synagogue
buildings.
The membership had been canvassed during the
year on the possibility of ladies being allowed
to sit downstairs in Singers Hill. The response
had been poor and mainly against the proposal
and it had been decided not to proceed with the
matter.
A special mention must be made of the many years’
service that Ruth Singer had devoted to instructing
the girls for Bat Mitzvah, and it was with sadness
that she had decided not to continue teaching
the class.
At the end of the 1995 Annual General Meeting,
a number of views were expressed regarding the
possibility of the merger of the Birmingham Orthodox
congregations. The general tenor was that Singers
Hill should retain its independence, even though
it was clear that a merger would produce some
financial savings for the whole Community. On
behalf of the membership Roland Diamond paid great
tribute to Benny Goodman and Gerald Abrahams for
their many years of devoted service to the Congregation.
At the meeting of the Council in October 1995,
Keith Drapkin was elected as President and Arthur
Gremson as Treasurer of the Congregation. In accepting
the office, Keith Drapkin confirmed his commitment
to the continuation of the tradition that the
Congregation and leaders had always been outstanding
examples in Birmingham and Anglo- Jewry. He announced
that in future, the President and Executive would
not be wearing morning dress in Shul .
The drafting of the new constitution for the
Birmingham Hebrew Congregation had been suspended
pending the merger discussions with Central. In
view of the failure of those discussions, work
was to recommence on the completion of the new
constitution for the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation.
The focus moved to other areas of concern, including
the role of the Rabbinic Board and the repayment
of a loan made by the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation
for the construction of the Mikvah at the Central
Synagogue site and the potential exposure to liability
for the cost of its future repair.
In January 1996, the whole Community was honoured
when Bernard Zissman received a Knighthood, and
a fitting tribute was paid to him and to Lady
Zissman. Mention was made not only of Sir Bernard’s
work for the City of Birmingham, as leader of
the Conservative Group and as Lord Mayor, but
for the service that he and his wife had given
to the Jewish and wider community.
In the same month, the Council gave unanimous
approval to Rabbi Tann’s suggestion for
the acquisition of a newly written Sefer Torah
for Singers Hill. An equally momentous decision
was taken in February 1996, when, after numerous
meetings between the Executives of the New Synagogue
and Birmingham Hebrew Congregation, the Council
unanimously approved the proposal for a merger
between the New Synagogue and the Birmingham Hebrew
Congregation.
On 4th February 1996, following a special “Father
and Sons Minyan”, a tree was planted by
Sir Bernard Zissman in the grounds of Singers
Hill in memory of the late Yitzhak Rabin. The
tree and the surrounding garden has been tended
over the years by Lionel Singer, this being another
one of the many unpublicised tasks that Lionel
continues to carry out voluntarily for the Congregation.
Following the proposed merger of the New Synagogue
with the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation and the
probable sale of the Park Road Synagogue, the
President, Keith Drapkin, announced initial plans
for the construction at the King David School
of a combined Youth and Community Centre and synagogue.
The President also had to deal with differences
between the BJEB and the Governors of the King
David School brought about by recent legislation
which had altered the responsibilities of School
Governors.
The President was keen to explore the possibility
of re- opening amalgamation discussions with Central,
but proposals in Council (a) to convene a meeting
of the two councils to see whether further progress
could be made and (b) to convene a meeting of
the members to ascertain their views on a merger
with the Central Synagogue, were defeated.
At the Annual General Meeting held on the 8th
September 1996, the membership endorsed the Treasurer’s
proposals to increase the membership fees to the
following rates:
Men Group 1 £450.00 Ladies Group 1 £170.00
Group 2 £300.00 Group 2 £120.00
Group 3 £150.00 Group 3 £60.00
By October 1996, the Sefer Torah Appeal was completed
and an order placed for the writing of a new Sefer
Torah. The President reported on the revised plans
for a Shul, Youth and Community project at the
King David School prior to submission for planning
permission. Problems continued regarding the running
of the BJEB and its relationship with the King
David School Governors.
To complete the process of the proposed merger
of the New Synagogue with the Birmingham Hebrew
Congregation, the Council unanimously resolved,
in December 1996, that the building work for a
new synagogue at the site of the King David School,
using the net proceeds from the sale of the Park
Road Synagogue, should commence after the 31st
July 1997, even if no other funding became available.
Another significant event took place that month
in that a special Kiddush was held on the 7th
December 1996 to mark the 10th anniversary of
Rabbi Tann’s appointment as Chief Minister
to the Congregation.
The ceremony of the commencement of the writing
of the Sefer Torah took place in the Synagogue
on the 26th January 1997, when senior members
of the Congregation and the past Executive were
called to write a letter in the first line of
Bereshit, assisted by the scribe, Uzzi Brown of
Manchester. The service for the completion of
the writing was held on the 15th March 1998. Chief
Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks and other distinguished
guests and visitors to the Shul were welcomed.
Senior members of the Congregation and the past
Executive and those who had donated towards the
cost were invited to write a letter of the last
line of the Torah, again assisted by Uzzi Brown.
In 1997, the principle of holding joint services
with Central was established when the Selichot
service held at Singers Hill involved both congregations.
From early 1998 onwards, considerable difficulty
was experienced in obtaining a Minyan during Yom
Tov and on Shabbat evenings, as well as for the
daily morning services. It was agreed with the
Central Synagogue Executive, as an experiment,
to hold all weekday morning services at Central
during July 2001 and at Singers Hill during August.
Agreement was also reached for other joint services
to be held.
During the period 1997-2001, two changes were
made to the Shul seating arrangements. The first
was permanent and involved the Choir who, in May
1997, moved to a position in front of the Bimah
so that eye contact could be made between the
Choirmaster and the Chazan. The second, in mid-2001,
was experimental in nature, and involved the setting
aside for the ladies of the first two blocks on
the right hand side of the ground floor of the
Shul, for which purpose a Mechitzah had been erected.
The experiment had been discontinued by November
2001 as a result of lack of usage of the area
by the lady members.
The Children’s Services had deteriorated.
The President reported, in April 1999, that two
years previously, a team of people had taken responsibility
for these important activities on Shabbat and
Yom Tov, but recently no one was doing so. As
a consequence, the Children’s Services had
declined and, by the beginning of 2000, they had
almost ceased to function.
Arthur Gremson, having left the Council for a
short period, passed the role of Treasurer to
Ivor Lewis. Keith Drapkin, disillusioned with
the lack of progress towards merger with Central
Synagogue, tendered his resignation as President
at a meeting of the Council on the 14th March
1999. Arnold Shepherd agreed to act as President
until the following Annual General Meeting. During
his period in office, a questionnaire sent to
every member of the Congregation elicited 475
replies out of 664, indicating that 138 members
were willing to merge on the Central site, 191
wished to remain at Singers Hill, 133 to merge
on a new site and 13 papers were spoilt.
Sir Bernard Zissman was elected as President
in October 1999 supported by Ivor Lewis as Vice-President
and Treasurer and Richard Saunders as Vice- President.
Special events that took place during the period
included: the annual Civic Service, a Commemoration
Service in respect of the late Princess Diana
and a family reunion Shabbat lunch held on the
26th February 2000 in the Joseph Cohen Hall attended
by approximately three hundred people.
On a sad note, Phillip Bloom died on the 25th
February 2000 and past President Roland Diamond,
in paying tribute, recalled that Phillip Bloom
had been elected to the Council in 1946 and had
served as President from 1955-1964. He became
the last member of the Council who had served
with the great benefactors and leaders of the
Congregation, such as Ivan Shortt, Jack Cotton,
Joseph Cohen, Rev. Dr. Cohen and Rev. Dr. Pearl.
His passing truly marked the end of an era.
In April 2000 Ivor Lewis retired from the Executive
having served as both Chairman of the Council
and Treasurer, and the Council recorded its appreciation
for his dedication to the Congregation. The historic
environment of the Council Chamber was maintained
when the chairs were re-covered through the skill
and generosity of Rudi Hart. An exhibition marking
the life of Anne Frank was held in the Joseph
Cohen Hall. In the absences of Rabbi Tann on holiday,
Professor Martin Goodman delivered the Shabbat
night shiurim.
Rabbi Tann was awarded an M.A. degree by the University
of Birmingham in June 2000 and Mark Woolf, after
many years of distinguished service as Choirmaster,
tendered his resignation in late 2000 due to his
impending emigration to Spain. A farewell Kiddush
was held for him on Shabbat 20th January 2001,
when suitable presentations and tributes were
made.
A Kiddush was also held on Shabbat 7th July 2001
to celebrate the 100th birthday of Teddy Woolf.
Teddy regularly attended at Singers Hill and,
even at the age of one hundred, his sprightly
figure was to be seen walking unaided to his seat.
Elected to the Council in 1947, he worked assiduously
for the Birmingham Jewish Community – in
particular for the former Birmingham United Jewish
Benevolent Board and as Chairman of the Cemeteries
Committee.
The four year period up to 2001 was particularly
notable for the steps that were taken to prepare
for a future merger with the Central Synagogue.
Informal meetings between the Executives of Singers
Hill and Central during 1997 resulted in a document
being produced, which set out the current positions
of the two Shuls and the financial savings to
be made on merging the two Congregations. The
two Councils discussed this simultaneously, with
a motion being passed by Singers Hill: “That
the Executive should initiate serious discussions
as soon as possible with a view to full amalgamation
between the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation and
the Central Synagogue”.
The negotiating committee comprised the two Executives
plus one member of Singers Hill Council and two
from Central. By the start of 1998, the Committee
had agreed to concentrate on the possibility of
a merged congregation worshipping in the Central
Synagogue but with major modifications made to
its interior.
In the event, Gregory Lander, FRICS, a London
based Chartered Surveyor, experienced in the design
and modification of synagogues, was commissioned
to draw up plans for the conversion of the Central
Synagogue. These, with recommendations to create
a Shul on one level, to accommodate 300 men and
250 women, with 4,000 sq.ft. of an upper level
for administrative offices, Rabbis’ offices,
meeting rooms, classrooms, accommodation for the
Israel Information Centre and other facilities,
all at a projected cost of £500,000 were
presented, in November 1998, to a joint meeting
of the two congregations held at the Malcolm Locker
Hall.
Much of the discussion that ensued centred on
whether the merger should take place at Singers
Hill, Central, or on a new site, rather than on
the planned modifications. Although no vote was
taken, comment forms that were returned in respect
of the plans, suggested that Central members would
be largely in favour, but Singers Hill members
would be approximately 60% in favour and 40% against.
In the meantime, discussions continued with Birmingham
Planning Department on the possibility of a change
of use and possible sale of the Singers Hill site.
In April 2000, a new line of enquiry was opened.
Meetings were held with Birmingham City Council
planners regarding the comprehensive development
plan for the whole of the site bordered by the
Ringway, Severn Street, Blucher Street and Gough
Street. The Executive was left to consider the
way in which the City Council Planning Department
might assist in the location of another site for
a merged synagogue. Although further contacts
were made with the City Council planners, no formal
agreement had been reached by the end of 2001.
The Council recorded its thanks to Arnold Shepherd
and his firm Bigwood for the professional advice
given to the Congregation over several years.
In the meantime and during this period, considerable
thought and effort were put into the provision
of a suitable Shul for the former worshippers
of the New Synagogue, Moseley. Initially, the
congregants used the King David School hall for
the purpose, but for practical purposes this couldn’t
continue. Eventually, in April 1998, it was agreed
to construct a building at King David School to
provide additional classroom space for religious
education during the week and a Shul on Shabbat
and the main Festivals. Planning permission was
obtained by the middle of 1999. Some delay occurred
because of amendments made to the plans, but building
work finally commenced in March 2000. Unfortunately
more delays followed due to the original builders
ceasing to trade around September 2000, requiring
further tenders to be issued. Building recommenced
in January 2001 and was completed at a cost of
£184,000 and available for use by mid -2001.
During 1998 in particular, much discussion in
Council centred upon Jewish Religious Education
at the King David School. Some in the Council
expressed the view that the standard of Religious
Education at the school was poor and concern was
expressed at the lack of Jewish teachers. Little
seemed to have changed by early 2001 when similar
views were recorded. With only 90 out of a total
of 251 pupils being Jewish (defined as those with
any Jewish connection, be it either mother or
father), the question was asked: “at what
percentage of Jewish children would the school
cease to be viable as a Jewish school?”
The answer given was that it was vital for the
Jewish community in Birmingham to have a Jewish
school and every effort should be made to encourage
Jewish parents to send their children to the King
David.
An anonymous donation of £100,000, facilitated
by Ivor Lewis, was received by the Congregation
in support of Jewish Education.
Restoration work on the Brandwood End cemetery
was completed in 1998 at a cost of £6,000
and the Co-operative Funeral Service became responsible
for the repair and maintenance of the cemeteries
at Witton in 2001; sadly, once again, the Cemetery
suffered from vandalism so that, towards the end
of 2001, graffiti had to be removed from more
than sixty of the tombstones.
Following closure of the Wolverhampton Synagogue,
life membership was granted, in late 2000, to
six members of that former congregation, in relation
to which a donation of £14,000 was received.
A further £5,000 was to be donated to the
Chevra Kadisha to enable the Birmingham Hebrew
Congregation to administer all future burial arrangements
and for the upkeep of the two cemeteries at Wolverhampton.
Efforts to produce a new constitution continued
during the period, but a draft to be put before
the members had not materialised by the end of
2001. In February 2000, a Singers Hill newsletter
“View from the Hill” was first published
as a means of publicising events and Council decisions.
As far as the five years to 2006 are concerned,
there is a particular paradox in analysing very
recent history. Events are so fresh that they
are usually recalled with great clarity. However
to distinguish accurately between the significant
and the ephemeral, more time needs to elapse.
In 2002, a small but interesting aspect of local
life with which Singers Hill became involved,
was the development by the National Trust of the
“Back to Back” project. This derives
its name from a type of cheaply built housing
developed in the early nineteenth Century, with
each dwelling place grouped around courtyards.
These houses had become slums, but the City Council
decided to save them from demolition and preserve
them as an historical museum. The particular group
of tenement houses that was chosen to be kept
(and has recently been opened to the public for
tours) is in Hurst Street. It portrays the lives
of four families resident there in the 1860s,
one being that of the Jewish watchmaker and Singers
Hill member, Edward Levy.
Life membership of the Council was awarded to
Janie Blumenthal and at an Extraordinary General
Meeting held in February 2003, the membership
ratified the new laws of the Birmingham Hebrew
Congregation. In addition to addressing the classification
of membership, the new Constitution contained
a provision that no resolution, proposed at a
General Meeting, relating to the disposal of the
Synagogue buildings or a merger with another congregation
could be passed without at least 65% of the Full
Members attending the meeting voting in favour.
Mention has already been made of the late Teddy
Woolf who died in 2004, aged 102. Centenarian
members have appeared before in the Congregation’s
history and indeed Jean Einstein, aged 110, still
living at the time of writing in Andrew Cohen
House, is probably the oldest person in Anglo-Jewry.
The Congregation suffered the loss of a distinguished
former President, when in April 2005, Benny Goodman,
who had served with dedication and commitment
as a member of the Council for 27 years and as
President from 1985 to 1995 died. In February
2006 a further loss occurred with the passing
of Roland Diamond. Serving on the Council for
45 years, Roland, with a particular influence
in the education of Jewish children, succeeded
David Zissman as President, a position he held
for ten years. He was also the President of the
Representative Council of Birmingham and Midlands
Jewry, demonstrating a love for our Synagogue
and Community with dignity and integrity.
December 2001 saw the “first” retirement
of Monty Marks and Lionel Singer from the Choir
after a lifetime of service and the Congregation
enjoyed a Kiddush to mark the occasion.
During this period the newsletter, was regularly
produced under the editorship of Stanley Busby.
In addition and to further improve communications,
the Congregation introduced a web site with Simon
Gingold, as web-master, managing the site. November
2003 saw a unique service at Singers Hill when
the City’s first Moslem Lord Mayor attended
the Civic Service. In the following March, following
the initiative of Rabbi Tann, a Sefer Torah was
discovered at the St Mary’s College at Oscott,
having been brought to this country by a refugee
from the Holocaust, and a service, in the presence
of the RC Archbishop of Birmingham, was held to
present the Sefer to the Congregation.
In November 2003 major changes in the Executive
occurred when Richard Saunders and John Fineman
stood down as Vice Presidents and were succeeded
by Arnold Shepherd and Roy Cornberg.
Singers Hill played host to a special event in
June 2004 when a concert was held in the Synagogue,
the acoustics being a unique feature welcomed
by those present including the musical critics.
A new curtain for the Ark was presented to the
Shul in memory of a former President and his wife,
the late Mr and Mrs David Zissman.
Mindless vandalism involving the desecration of
a number of headstones at the cemetery at Witton
in August 2004 caused immense distress to the
whole of the Jewish Community. Work was begun
almost immediately to repair the damage and the
perpetrator was given a significant custodial
sentence.
The satellite Shul at the King David School in
Moseley has continued to flourish. Although Rabbi
Goodman visits from time to time, in the main,
the regular Shabbat and some of the Yom Tov services
are conducted by a number of lay members, and
kiddushim and social events are also held. In
February 2002, the Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks,
visited the Birmingham Jewish Community and during
his visit fixed a mezuzah to the door of the Moseley
Shul.
The predominant problems affecting the Birmingham
Hebrew Congregation in its most recent years have
been the steady numerical decline of the membership
and, whether to abandon independence in favour
of merger with the Central Synagogue. The records
of the Congregation minutes reflect the frequency
with which these twin concerns have occupied the
thoughts of the Congregation’s Executive
and members of the Council. In addition to the
shrinking membership problem, the surviving membership
is ageing which, in the absence of significant
replacement with new members, carries the seeds
of compounding the shrinkage problem. The trend,
whilst not dramatic, is slowly accelerating and
seems inexorable. Well known families of the Congregation
who have supplied membership to Singers Hill for
several generations have moved to larger centres
of Jewish life in this country and abroad. So
far, new families have not replaced them.
Traditionally, Jews have set great store by education
and learning even, it has been suggested, creating
a mindset sharpened by generations of Torah and
Talmudic study. It is easy to exaggerate this
effect, but Birmingham and some of the large nearby
towns with their development of fine Universities
and Colleges have been a magnet for Jewish students
for a long time. These students infuse local Jewish
life with vitality, but they rarely stay in the
region beyond their graduation. One generation
of students follows the next but there is little
continuity from this source. In the absence of
the beneficial effect that would follow if significant
numbers of graduates remained here, the Community
derives as much benefit as possible from the status
quo.
The officers of the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation
have grappled with this issue frequently, as have
their counterparts at the Central Synagogue. There
have been successive prolonged negotiations between
the two Congregations, punctuated on occasion
with formal balloting of the memberships concerning
proposed merger schemes. On one occasion, the
voting on merger failed to reach the required
65% of all voting members by just less than one
half percent. This shortfall widened in the most
recent vote to almost five percent, indicating
that there was still a more than sufficient minority
of the membership of the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation
which preferred to continue to manage separately.
As a result of that failure to merge the Congregations,
a number of the then Singers Hill Council resigned.
Alan Blumenthal was elected as President in October
2004 and a new Executive was co-opted consisting
of Gerald Bloom as Vice President and Treasurer,
Keith Rowe as Chairman and John Leek as Executive
member. A fresh attempt has begun to revive the
fortunes of the Congregation. The philosophy of
providing an Orthodox Jewish milieu, as has prevailed
for the past 150 years, continues, but new ideas
are being tried to strengthen it. The Executive
is making a positive effort to reach out to the
entire membership and to involve them all in participating
in the social and religious life of the Synagogue.
Faith in the future has been demonstrated by the
recent appointment of an Assistant Rabbi, Rabbi
Yossi Jacobs, to help Rabbi Tann, who has cheerfully
shouldered the burden for a long time both within
and outside the Jewish Community, notably in the
area of inter- faith relations. It was a matter
of great pride for the Congregation that Rabbi
Tann’s significant work in this field was
recognised by the conferment upon him in July
2005 of an Honorary Doctorate by Aston University.
Singers Hill has in fact, since its inception,
been a byword for high quality Jewish religious
leadership combined with a compassionate concern
for each individual synagogue member. The current
Executive is keen to ensure that the emphasis
on this worthy tradition remains the focus of
the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation’s contribution
both to Jewish life and to the wider community,
within which the area’s Jewish people play
an important part.
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